Genesis 32:6-8

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6 Then the messengers returned to Jacob, saying, "We came to your brother Esau, and he also is coming to meet you, and four hundred men are with him." 7 So Jacob was greatly afraid and distressed; and he divided the people that were with him, and the flocks and herds and camels, into two companies. 8 And he said, "If Esau comes to the one company and attacks it, then the other company which is left will escape." ~ Genesis 32:6-8

When Adam and Eve rejected God, they became peculiarly aware of their nakedness, so they hid from God and each other. Humans have been hiding from each other ever since, covering ourselves in various ways. We have learned to present a false version of ourselves to others because we’ve become aware of the true version and we’re not sure it will be accepted. In today's passage, we will learn some valuable lessons from Jacob as he continues to come out of his hiding. 

In v.6 of today's passage we read, "Then the messengers returned to Jacob, saying, 'We came to your brother Esau, and he also is coming to meet you, and four hundred men are with him.'"

It had been 20 years since Jacob left Canaan. In that time, Esau had become a prominent chieftain of his people in Edom a neighboring country to Canaan. Esau had married daughters of the Hittites and also of Ishmael and he had consolidated power among them. This is evident by the large number of men he had with him. Jacob had just left one very difficult relationship and now was to meet with his very angry brother. God allowed yet another trial in the life of Jacob as he awaited Esau's arrival. This trial was necessary because in order for Jacob's faith in God to grow stronger, he had to be stretched and convinced that he needed God who by the end of this chapter would        purge some things that were trapped within Jacob's soul.

In v.7 of today's passage we read, "So Jacob was greatly afraid and distressed; and he divided the people that were with him, and the flocks and herds and camels, into two companies."

Jacob came into the land of Canaan to meet his brother whom he believed was out to kill him because, after all, twenty years before his brother Esau said, "As soon as the days of mourning for my father are over, I'm gonna kill that brother of mine." And, since Esau was coming with 400 men, Jacob was afraid and distressed. At this point, Jacob's fear and distress was starting to show his lack of trust in the very promises of God which he had been given. His worry was the weakness of his soul as he struggled with what was ahead. Though he was comforted by the angels, Jacob's flesh called out for his allegiance. 

It was James F. Bell who once said, "Fear is an insidious virus. Given a breeding place in our minds, it will permeate the whole body of our work; it will eat away our spirit and block the forward path of our endeavors. Fear is the greatest enemy of progress. Progress moves ever on, and does not linger to consider microscopically the implications of each particular action. Only small and over-cautious minds see the shadows of lurking enemies and dangers everywhere, and shrink away from the increased efforts needed to overcome them."

With Esau advancing, in order to protect at least a portion of his people Jacob divided them into two separate camps. If one camp were to be attacked, maybe the other would be safe. Part of the process of coming out of our hiding and growing in our trust of the Lord is the struggle that we have with our fears and anxieties. As we encounter these struggles, we are afforded the opportunity to turn to God for help. Of course, if we do not turn to Him in the midst of these struggles our growth in His reality will be stunted. But, this doesn't mean that the battle is over, it just means there is a pause in the action.

In v.8 of today's passage we read, "And he said, 'If Esau comes to the one company and attacks it, then the other company which is left will escape.'"

The "if" part of our walk with God is what makes our life of faith in God so difficult. Like Jacob, we do not know what God has in mind. And, there have been times that we have learned that what God had in mind was hard, difficult and painful. It is so easy to lose sight of the fact that with God all things work together for our good. Out of uncertainty and the help of the Holy Spirit's work in our lives comes the assurance that no matter what happens in our lives, it will work together for our good. And, the more we experience this with God, the more we will be adjusted to any scenario that He sends or allows to come our way. God does not tell us that everything that happens to us will be good; He tells us that whether the situation is bad or good, it will work together for our good as we learn to give our hearts to Him. 

When Jacob divided up his people, he revealed the wisdom learned on many a battlefields. Jacob knew that if the enemy had engaged a portion of his people, the others could either rally to help those under siege, or escape alive. Jacob was so unsure of the outcome that he took this course of action. Of course, in the end his tactics were not needed. 

We needlessly worry about such things. Our fears make us desperate. A thief may steal from us once, but anxiety can steal from us for decades. And, it may not mean that we ever truly overcome our fears and anxieties. It may mean that it isn't about our fear of man or things but about being overcome by the One who loves us beyond measure. When we truly encounter the lover of our souls, it will be then that we will embrace the only healthy fear, the fear of God. "If we do not fear the God above us, we will fear everything around us. If we do fear the God above us, we will fear nothing around us."

Genesis 32:1-5

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1 So Jacob went on his way, and the angels of God met him. 2 When Jacob saw them, he said, "This is God’s camp." And he called the name of that place Mahanaim. 3 Then Jacob sent messengers before him to Esau his brother in the land of Seir, the country of Edom. 4 And he commanded them, saying, "Speak thus to my lord Esau, Thus your servant Jacob says: 'I have dwelt with Laban and stayed there until now. 5 I have oxen, donkeys, flocks, and male and female servants; and I have sent to tell my lord, that I may find favor in your sight.'" ~ Genesis 32:1-5

Today, we transition into Genesis 32 where Jacob's time of exile in Haran has ended and he is back at the edge of the Promised Land. The emphasis in today's passage is most subtle and yet it is as clear as could be but it is only clear to those who are growing in their hearts as servants. Jacob was being freed to rule with the heart of a servant and to serve the heart of a king.

In v.1 of today's passage we read, "So Jacob went on his way, and the angels of God met him."

While on his way to Canaan, the angels of God met Jacob again. He was met by the angels of God before when he left Canaan some 20 years earlier. The last thing recorded was his vision of the latter and the angels ascending and descending on it. As Jacob re-entered the Promised Land he again had another vision of angels who were there with him all along but he simply didn't know it. Of course all things created ladders and angels serve to point us to the One who has served us best by laying down His life so that we could know forgiveness of sin and have a personal relationship with God. 

In Hebrews 1:14 we read, "Are they not all ministering Spirits sent forth to minister for those who will inherit salvation?" This passage speaks of angels as ministering spirits sent forth by God. When we hear about some miracle we find ourselves wondering about what really happened in the realm of the unseen to make the miracle happen. It is most plausible that the miracle came about due to the intervention of God's angels. It is clear through the Bible that God's angels do His bidding in this world and it is largely due to those miraculous moments that we truly experience the miraculous involvement of God in our lives.

In v.2 of today's passage we read, "When Jacob saw them, he said, 'This is God’s camp.' And he called the name of that place Mahanaim."

Jacob saw into the unseen and he saw the angels who prompted him to identify Mahanaim as God's camp. Interestingly, before he left Canaan 20 years earlier when he had awakened from his sleep after his dream of the latter, Jacob said, "Surely this is God's house." What began as the house of God was now seen by Jacob as the camp of God. Then he called the place Mahanaim which is mentioned 13 times in the Bible and it literally means "two camps" revealing the convergence of the seen and the unseen worlds. 

In v.3-5 of today's passage we read, "3 Then Jacob sent messengers before him to Esau his brother in the land of Seir, the country of Edom. 4 And he commanded them, saying, 'Speak thus to my lord Esau, Thus your servant Jacob says: I have dwelt with Laban and stayed there until now. 5 I have oxen, donkeys, flocks, and male and female servants; and I have sent to tell my lord, that I may find favor in your sight.'"

The word translated messengers here is the same word translated angels earlier. In other words, in the same way that God had sent His angels to Jacob, Jacob sent his messengers to his brother Esau. Despite the fact that Jacob had stolen Esau's birthright and blessing, he commanded his messengers to address Esau as "Adonai" which means "Lord." He did this in order to communicate to Esau that he was not a threat to him and he wanted to mend their relationship. This is why Jacob subordinated himself to Esau by using of himself the word "servant."

Esau, like Laban, was not in a personal relationship with God, he knew of the Lord but he did not have a personal relationship with Him. Our adventure with God is dependent upon our perceived need of Him and our awareness of His daily involvement in our lives. We often miss the adventure because we have an unhealthy fear of God and we are afraid to go where He leads. Over and over we are reminded by the Old Testament prophets that "the Servant is coming." In fact, Isaiah 53 has long been titled "The Suffering Servant." 

In Revelation 7:17 we read, "The Lamb who is in the midst of the throne will shepherd them and lead them to living fountains of waters." And, according to Luke 12, the Lord Jesus will serve believers in heaven for eternity. There is much more to this concept of servanthood that meets the eye. I find it startling that Paul's ultimate goal in the book of Romans was to reveal what a servant looks like in various contexts. This is what the final five chapters in Romans is all about. 

According to v.5 of today's passage, Jacob accentuates the fact that he had obtained great wealth during his time away in Haran. He did this because he wanted his brother Esau to know that he would not be a burden to him. He also wanted Esau to know that he was not a threat to him as his family had grown to such size. Seeing such a large group coming in his direction would have alarmed Esau. So, Jacob served his brother by sending his messengers to him with a message of peace.

In Matthew 20:25-26 we read, "25 But Jesus called them to Himself and said, 'You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and those who are great exercise authority over them. 26 Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant.'"

While in Haran Jacob had learned to lose sight of himself as he served Laban for 20 years. As we move further into our study of Genesis 32 the concept of servanthood will become more and more evident. As he arrived at Mahanaim, Jacob was beginning to see that God's ultimate goal in the life of the believer is to help those arrested by this seen to see the unseen. This is the case for all believers in the God of the Bible because the more we get to know the heart of the Lord, the more we will reflect the heart of the servant.

Genesis 31:51-55

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51 Then Laban said to Jacob, “Here is this heap and here is this pillar, which I have placed between you and me. 52 This heap is a witness, and this pillar is a witness, that I will not pass beyond this heap to you, and you will not pass beyond this heap and this pillar to me, for harm. 53 The God of Abraham, the God of Nahor, and the God of their father judge between us.” And Jacob swore by the Fear of his father Isaac. 54 Then Jacob offered a sacrifice on the mountain, and called his brethren to eat bread. And they ate bread and stayed all night on the mountain. 55 And early in the morning Laban arose, and kissed his sons and daughters and blessed them. Then Laban departed and returned to his place. ~ Genesis 31:51-55

Today, we conclude our study of Genesis 31 where we have watched God dramatically change Jacob with the truth. In this chapter Jacob has gone from a man afraid of his father-in-law to a man who exuded confidence, primarily because he was now being defined by the truth. When we are being defined by the truth that means that we have come to appreciate what it means to fear the Lord. We are told in the Scriptures, "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom" and in this passage we see that Jacob was leaving his foolish ways behind because he was now being defined by the wisdom of God.

In v.51-53 of today's passage we read, "51 Then Laban said to Jacob, 'Here is this heap and here is this pillar, which I have placed between you and me. 52 This heap is a witness, and this pillar is a witness, that I will not pass beyond this heap to you, and you will not pass beyond this heap and this pillar to me, for harm. 53 The God of Abraham, the God of Nahor, and the God of their father judge between us.' And Jacob swore by the Fear of his father Isaac." 

Laban spoke of the heap and the pillar as if he they were his idea. Earlier, we were told that it was Jacob who set these up. As we have considered before, Laban pictures for us what it looks like to be one who is defined by the flesh which always wants notoriety and credit. The heaps and the pillar were erected to show where Jacob's allegiance was and Laban was struggling to get to the point where his fear of God determined everything else about him.

The heap and pillar were also placed there to be a witness of the peace that would be shared between Jacob and Laban. This was a picture of the work the Lord Jesus accomplished for us on His cross at Calvary. There would be harmony between Jacob and Laban as long as they didn’t pass beyond the boundaries to harm one another. Should they breech those boundaries, then the account would be judiciously and righteously settled as the violation of their covenant.

Laban spoke of the God of Abraham and Nahor, their common ancestors. Jacob, knowing that idolatry had crept in among Laban's side of the family, swore by the "Fear of his father Isaac." The expressed difference here was to show that for Laban idolatry had crept into his heart thus negatively affecting his worship of God. In Joshua 24:2 we read, "And Joshua said to all the people, 'Thus says the Lord God of Israel: Your fathers, including Terah, the father of Abraham and the father of Nahor, dwelt on the other side of the River in old times; and they served other gods.'"

Laban was confused about the identity of the one true God and it showed in his choices and words. It is clear from what God had earlier said to Laban on the night before he met up with Jacob that he intended to do harm to Jacob and his family. At a minimum, Laban came with the intent to call down curses on Jacob. And, as always, if we let Him, God will turn our curses into blessings.

In v.54-55 of today's passage we read, "54 Then Jacob offered a sacrifice on the mountain, and called his brethren to eat bread. And they ate bread and stayed all night on the mountain. 55 And early in the morning Laban arose, and kissed his sons and daughters and blessed them. Then Laban departed and returned to his place."

While Laban was a picture of the man of the world, Jacob pictured the Lord Jesus. While Leah pictured the law, Rachel pictured grace. The pillar in this passage was a picture of the cross of the Lord Jesus and the heap pictured the Bible. In this story symmetry is discovered. The usage of two languages, Hebrew and Aramaic, indicates that this witness was meant for all people, Hebrew and Gentile alike. This explains why, for the first time in the Bible, a non-Hebrew word was used. This covenant between Jacob and Laban stands as a reminder to all people that God has offered to sinful man a pact of peace through His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. The only question remains is: Who is humble enough to believe in God's promise?

This story proves that the Bible is a physical, tangible word. Not just a spiritual concept without form. In John 1:14 we read, "And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.” The written Word of God, the Bible, points us to the living Word of God, the Lord Jesus Christ. Both, the Lord Jesus and the Bible are the standard by which God will judge all people. The peace that we all long for is found in these two where we discover that restoration and harmony between God and man are realized only through the cross of Christ. 

This is the last time in the Bible that Laban is referred to directly. He will be mentioned only two more times, both in Genesis 46 and only in reference to the children of Israel born to Bilhah and Zilpah, not as an individual. In the end, Laban is a picture of most people who know of God but do not know God personally and for themselves. Laban represents the person searching the world for that which won’t satisfy and who so desperately needs to be defined by the one true God.

Today's passage took place in a place known as the Perpetual Fountain which is analogous of the eternal life the Lord Jesus offers to anyone humble enough and willing enough to believe in Him. The bread Laban and Jacob ate together that day was a symbol of the Lord Jesus who is the One who delivers to the repentant sinner this perpetual fountain. He said of Himself, "I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry again. Whoever believes in me will never be thirsty."

The Fear of Isaac is one of the more obscure names of God in the Bible. This name is only found in this passage. By using this phrase, Jacob was saying that his father, Isaac, feared God and worshiped Him exclusively. Jacob was right to refer to God as the Fear of Isaac, and Isaac was right to have a holy reverence and godly fear. In Luke 12:5, the Lord Jesus said, "But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear him who, after your body has been killed, has authority to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him." In fearing God, Isaac submitted to Him and regarded Him more highly than anyone else.

Genesis 31:43-50

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43 And Laban answered and said to Jacob, “These daughters are my daughters, and these children are my children, and this flock is my flock; all that you see is mine. But what can I do this day to these my daughters or to their children whom they have borne? 44 Now therefore, come, let us make a covenant, you and I, and let it be a witness between you and me.” 45 So Jacob took a stone and set it up as a pillar. 46 Then Jacob said to his brethren, “Gather stones.” And they took stones and made a heap, and they ate there on the heap. 47 Laban called it Jegar Sahadutha, but Jacob called it Galeed. 48 And Laban said, “This heap is a witness between you and me this day.” Therefore its name was called Galeed, 49 also Mizpah, because he said, “May the Lord watch between you and me when we are absent one from another. 50 If you afflict my daughters, or if you take other wives besides my daughters, although no man is with us—see, God is witness between you and me!” ~ Genesis 31:43-50

Today, we continue our study of Genesis 31 where Jacob and his family have escaped their dad's deceptive ways only to encounter him at Mount Gilead yet again. Since Jacob has been growing in the truth we find him galvanized and substantiated in such a way that he has overcome his fear of his father-in-law Laban. In response to Jacob's confident reply to Laban's false charges, we now see Laban wanting to enter into a covenant with Jacob. Jacob's confidence was yet again soaring because he was learning to be defined by his Savior and not the opposite of truth which is sin.

Without God’s word, there can be no true understanding of anything. This is most true of our relationship with Him. From the very first days of creation, God has directed man's attention to Himself through His creation. In addition to His word, God uses creation and our conscience and His Spirit to lead us to know Him and His ways. God spoke His word to us through His prophets and apostles. In the Bible are promises, blessings, curses, and assurances. If one aspect of His word fails, then all hope would be lost. The sacredness and reliability of God's word is tied directly to His holiness and truthfulness.

In v.43-44 of today's passage we read, "43 And Laban answered and said to Jacob, 'These daughters are my daughters, and these children are my children, and this flock is my flock; all that you see is mine. But what can I do this day to these my daughters or to their children whom they have borne? 44 Now therefore, come, let us make a covenant, you and I, and let it be a witness between you and me."

Laban, without admitting any guilt or any wrongdoing toward Jacob, makes a great and boastful claim that everything in Jacob’s possession was derived from him. Here, Laban acted in such a way that made him seem generous without not insisting on keeping that which he believed belonged to him. At the end of the day, Laban had no choice but to let Jacob keep them. Laban reasoned that he simply couldn’t find it in his heart to deprive his departing family of their well being which was quite insincere of him to do. One of the many products of feeding the flesh is insincerity which derives itself from insecurity because when we are such we know that we are living a lie.

The separation was final and Laban realized it. Jacob wasn’t coming back and his daughters, grandchildren and what he contended was some of his livestock were all going with Jacob. And, just like six years earlier, Laban realized that God was with Jacob. In the past, he asked Jacob to stay and work for him but it had become completely evident that Jacob was finally free from his clutches.

God had made Jacob fruitful. He had fulfilled His promise to him that He would be with him and protect him. Before parting, Laban asked to enter into a covenant with Jacob. The covenant would be a witness between the two of them. If Jacob agreed to it, it was implied that all past quarrels will be forgotten and anything which was misplaced between them would be overlooked. There would be an agreement of peace and good will between the two which would stand as a testimony between them, especially since the agreement was being made in the presence of the Lord and all those present.

In v.45-46 of today's passage we read, "45 So Jacob took a stone and set it up as a pillar. 46 Then Jacob said to his brethren, 'Gather stones.' And they took stones and made a heap, and they ate there on the heap."

Jacob had previous to this occasion set up a stone as a pillar. It was on the night after he had his dream concerning the ladder. It was through that dream that God guaranteed Jacob His protection. Today's meeting between Laban and Jacob proved that what God had promised to did come to pass, and as a result, Jacob's faith in the Lord grew.

Jacob shared a meal with Laban showing their reconciliation one to another. By taking the time to sit and eat a meal, they were able to sort out the problems which had arisen from the past and they resolved them that day. I'm reminded of the Lord's Supper where we meet with the Lord and we are reminded of His death until He comes again. It is there where the Holy Spirit directs our thoughts that center on the cross of the Lord Jesus and we are reminded that we have been reconciled to the Lord.

In v.47 of today's passage we read, "Laban called it Jegar Sahadutha, but Jacob called it Galeed."

This is the very first time that a language other than Hebrew is used in the Bible. Laban named the heap Jegar Sahadutha which is Aramaic meaning "witness pile." Jacob named the mound "Galeed" which means the same in Hebrew. By naming the mound in their own languages, it was a way of confirming that this covenant applied not only to them, but to their posterity after them.

In v.48-50 of today's passage we read, "48 And Laban said, 'This heap is a witness between you and me this day.' Therefore its name was called Galeed, 49 also Mizpah, because he said, 'May the Lord watch between you and me when we are absent one from another. 50 If you afflict my daughters, or if you take other wives besides my daughters, although no man is with us—see, God is witness between you and me!'"

"Mizpah" means "watchtower" implying that the Lord was the One watching over the covenant made there on Mount Gilead that day. It would be the Lord who would stand as the judge over any transgressions of the agreement, just as we saw with the covenant between Abraham and Abimelech. God continues to monitor what man has long ago forgotten. He stands at the watchtower ensuring the ancient covenants are kept. This book, the Bible, is a testament to His care about such things. History always reveals that God can be trusted to be true to His word.

Genesis 31:36-42

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36 Then Jacob was angry and rebuked Laban, and Jacob answered and said to Laban: “What is my trespass? What is my sin, that you have so hotly pursued me? 37 Although you have searched all my things, what part of your household things have you found? Set it here before my brethren and your brethren, that they may judge between us both! 38 These twenty years I have been with you; your ewes and your female goats have not miscarried their young, and I have not eaten the rams of your flock. 39 That which was torn by beasts I did not bring to you; I bore the loss of it. You required it from my hand, whether stolen by day or stolen by night. 40 There I was! In the day the drought consumed me, and the frost by night, and my sleep departed from my eyes. 41 Thus I have been in your house twenty years; I served you fourteen years for your two daughters, and six years for your flock, and you have changed my wages ten times. 42 Unless the God of my father, the God of Abraham and the Fear of Isaac, had been with me, surely now you would have sent me away empty-handed. God has seen my affliction and the labor of my hands, and rebuked you last night.” ~ Genesis 31:36-42

Today, we return to our study of Genesis 31 where we having been observing the process of sanctification that was coming about in the life of Jacob. You will remember that whereas justification is us getting into heaven, our sanctification is heaven getting into us now. Justification is being made right in the eyes of God through believing in the work of the Lord Jesus on the cross for the forgiveness of our sin. Sanctification is growing in the wisdom of God making us able to be effective witnesses before others for God while we remain on this earth.

In v.36-37 of today's passage we read, "36 Then Jacob was angry and rebuked Laban, and Jacob answered and said to Laban: “What is my trespass? What is my sin, that you have so hotly pursued me? 37 Although you have searched all my things, what part of your household things have you found? Set it here before my brethren and your brethren, that they may judge between us both!"

Jacob's confidence grew with the growth of his sanctification. This is the nature of the truth, it bolsters us into the realm of the sure. The Lord Jesus said it well when He said, "Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." The freedom here is quite widespread from being set free from the control of others to being set free from our low sense of value. Knowing the truth produces trust in God in us.

If Laban had found his idols among the belongings of Jacob, he would have completely had the upper hand on Jacob. In addition, Laban would have had some ground to make the claim that Jacob had stolen some of his flock. But, since the idols were not found, Jacob had the upper hand. And, even though Rachel had stolen the idols, Jacob was still found to be without guilt. The accuser could no longer accuse him and he was vindicated before all present. 

Jacob’s words in today's passage to Laban are so perfectly reflected in Zechariah that it really is astonishing. In Zechariah 13:1-2 we read, "In that day a fountain shall be opened for the house of David and for the inhabitants of Jerusalem, for sin and for uncleanness. 2 'It shall be in that day,' says the Lord of hosts, 'that I will cut off the names of the idols from the land, and they shall no longer be remembered. I will also cause the prophets and the unclean spirit to depart from the land.'"

So many years after today's events, this prophecy will be fulfilled in the nation of Israel, picturing what God will do for Israel one day in the future, Jacob was cleared of all guilt with reference to the missing idols of Laban. Laban's actions of pursuing Jacob and accusing him were baseless. From his posture of innocence, Jacob explained, in front of everyone, the mistreatment he had received from Laban. This doubled Laban’s guilt and it doubled the vindication of Jacob.

In v.38-40 of today's passage we read, "38 These twenty years I have been with you; your ewes and your female goats have not miscarried their young, and I have not eaten the rams of your flock. 39 That which was torn by beasts I did not bring to you; I bore the loss of it. You required it from my hand, whether stolen by day or stolen by night. 40 There I was! In the day the drought consumed me, and the frost by night, and my sleep departed from my eyes."

At this point, Jacob was 97 years of age and for the last twenty years, he worked 7 years for Leah, 7 for Rachel, and then 6 for whatever possessions he had at this point. During all of that time Jacob showed his attentiveness to the flocks. There had not been any miscarriages among the flock. This meant the sheep had been all well tended to by Jacob who also said that he didn’t eat the rams of the flock. The female are rarely eaten because they are the ones who birth baby lambs and thus increase wealth, but the rams are sometimes taken for meals. However, Jacob never did this. He never dipped into what belonged to Laban. Over those twenty years Jacob had been faithful to Laban and trustworthy and Laban benefitted greatly. 

Jacob then pointed to the predators in the open fields who from time to time would kill one of the flock. Although it wasn’t any fault of Jacob’s, he bore the loss. Later, under the law, and speaking of exactly such an occurrence in Exodus 22 we read, "If it is torn to pieces by a beast, then he shall bring it as evidence, and he shall not make good what was torn." The fact that this is in the law as a protection for the people indicates that this is what was right and honest. Jacob and Laban were before the time of the law, but the general principle of honesty would dictate that Jacob shouldn’t have to pay for such a loss, but he did.

And more, any animal that was stolen, Laban required from Jacob. Based on Laban’s dishonesty as presented by Jacob, it was an indication that Laban could have stolen from the flock and then demanded a replacement as well, thus stealing from Jacob twice. Jacob aired all of this in the presence of the people to show that he had been both mistreated and unfairly acted against.

Then Jacob brought up the issue about drought. In that part of the world, the days were extremely hot and the nights very cold. As the day heats up over the open expanses, the area ached from the lack of moisture. If it weren’t for wells, it would have been intolerable for both man and animal. At night it got so cold that any humidity in the air settled to ground level and turned into frost. This is the normal weather and it would be multiplied in one direction or another as the seasons changed, but it would have never been comfortable. Due to the cold and the frost, the wild animals, and the thieves, Jacob had many of long nights. Sleep literally escaped him most of the time for 20 years.

In v.41-42 of today's passage we read, "41 Thus I have been in your house twenty years; I served you fourteen years for your two daughters, and six years for your flock, and you have changed my wages ten times. 42 Unless the God of my father, the God of Abraham and the Fear of Isaac, had been with me, surely now you would have sent me away empty-handed. God has seen my affliction and the labor of my hands, and rebuked you last night."

In these uncertain conditions, Jacob continued for 20 full years under three promises, twice for wives and then for set wages. However, seven of those years were for a wife he didn’t want. Only during the last six it was for wages. And even then, Laban constantly cheated Jacob by changing the agreed terms. Jacob revealed, in front of everyone hearing his confident speech that his wives and his flocks were rightfully his and he was deserving of far more based on the work he provided. 

Jacob was now being defined by God. In John 8:32 the Lord Jesus said, "You shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free." The truth of God lead to more than just an intellectual understanding. Knowing God’s truth leads us to the place where we begin to understand that the Lord Jesus has performed on our behalf and we need not do anything to add to God's acceptance of us. Ironically, having been set free from sin, we now are becoming slaves to God who defines us best. 

Genesis 31:31-35

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31 Then Jacob answered and said to Laban, “Because I was afraid, for I said, ‘Perhaps you would take your daughters from me by force.’ 32 With whomever you find your gods, do not let him live. In the presence of our brethren, identify what I have of yours and take it with you.” For Jacob did not know that Rachel had stolen them. 33 And Laban went into Jacob’s tent, into Leah’s tent, and into the two maids’ tents, but he did not find them. Then he went out of Leah’s tent and entered Rachel’s tent. 34 Now Rachel had taken the household idols, put them in the camel’s saddle, and sat on them. And Laban searched all about the tent but did not find them. 35 And she said to her father, “Let it not displease my lord that I cannot rise before you, for the manner of women is with me.” And he searched but did not find the household idols. ~ Genesis 31:31-35

Today, we continue our study of Genesis 31 where Jacob and his family have departed from Haran and now they are camped on Mount Gilead which means the mountain of perpetual spring. After arriving there, Jacob received a visit from Laban his father-in-law who was quite put out with Jacob for taking his daughters and grandchildren from Haran. Laban had just asked Jacob why he left Haran for the Promised Land and Jacob is about to provide him with his answer.

In v.31 of today's passage we read, "Then Jacob answered and said to Laban, 'Because I was afraid, for I said, Perhaps you would take your daughters from me by force." 

In response to the question from Laban, Jacob sighted fear for his motive. Jacob was afraid of Laban his father-in-law. Jacob, yet again, feared another man. Fear is self-imprisoning. As this type of fear grows in us it yields anxiety which robs us of all types of good things, particularly rest. From Genesis 9:2 to Revelation 19:5, the word fear is used more than five hundred times. 

In 2 Timothy 1:7 we read, "For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind." 

Obviously, the cure for fear is faith in the God of the Bible, but the tricky part about the growth of our faith in the God of the Bible is that we must go to and through our fears in order to grow in our faith in God. Yes, Jacob needed more faith in his soul but in order to grow in his faith he had to confront and quell his fear of Laban.

Jacob was stung by Laban’s accusations and to the first that he was disrespectful for the way he left Haran he admitted that he feared Laban, he was afraid if he told Laban he was leaving and returning home that Laban would take his daughters from him by force. Jacob didn't know that Laban's real motivation was to find his idols which he called his gods.

Jacob's answer attended to the matter of his wives first, rather than any theft Laban suffered. What Jacob noted here wasn’t at all far-fetched. Jacob had worked for and paid off his debt to Laban. Also he took nothing from him when he left. Rachel took his household gods which Jacob knew nothing about. He had every right to leave and his departure was actually the wise thing to do considering the circumstances of the past 20 years.

In v.32 of today's passage we read, "'With whomever you find your gods, do not let him live. In the presence of our brethren, identify what I have of yours and take it with you.' For Jacob did not know that Rachel had stolen them."

After addressing what he felt was the main concern, Jacob brought up another matter in a way which would absolutely confirm his innocence. If the idols were found in his camp, Laban would have the right to execute whomever stole them. As to the accusation that he had stolen Laban’s gods, Jacob denied it because he did not know that Rachel had stolen them.  Still a bit fearful of Laban and not knowing what was going to happen, Jacob told Laban to search through their belongings and if he found anything that was his to take it. And, if the gods were found, the person who had them should be put to death. 

Subtly, Jacob goes from a fearful man to a man who is courageous. The difference was made by the truth. Jacob was convinced that the idols of Laban were not stolen by anyone in his family and this explains why Jacob suggested that the one be killed who stole them. The salve to our fear is the truth and our trust in the truth. Jacob feared because he lacked the truth. If we want to grow in our faith and if we want to overcome our fears we must be defined by the truth. Jacob had no clue that his wife Rachel had stolen her father's idols and that she had carried them along with her. 

In v.33 of today's passage we read, "And Laban went into Jacob’s tent, into Leah’s tent, and into the two maids’ tents, but he did not find them. Then he went out of Leah’s tent and entered Rachel’s tent."

Laban didn't know that "Rachel had taken the household idols and had put them in the camel's saddle." A camel's saddle was probably simply a blanket or a cloth folded up and placed on the back of the camel. And that's what she was seated on. 

In v.34 of today's passage we read, "Now Rachel had taken the household idols, put them in the camel’s saddle, and sat on them. And Laban searched all about the tent but did not find them."

Rachel obviously heard Jacob’s words about putting to death whoever had taken the idols and so she packed them away in a camel’s saddle and sat down on them. Then, she devised a plan to keep him from finding them. As her dad poked around in her tent, Rachel informed him of a supposed malady which prevented her from dismounting the camel at that moment.

In v.35 of today's passage we read, "And she said to her father, 'Let it not displease my lord that I cannot rise before you, for the manner of women is with me.' And he searched but did not find the household idols."

Rachels words to her father revealed she had garnered her deceptive practices well from her dad. Laban’s search turned up nothing and his gods were still missing. It was then that Jacob saw that there was no need for him to fear Laban. Jacob knew then that God was protecting him from Laban. Jacob was growing in his understanding that God had him no matter what.

In Isaiah 49:16 we read, "Behold, I have graven you on the palms of my hands." 

The Lord Jesus, after His resurrection, appeared to his frightened disciples, huddled together in the upper room, and He said to them, "Behold, my hands and my feet and see that it is I." The wounds in the hands of the Lord Jesus were the marks of love and the very names of believers have been engraved there. 

In John 10:28 we read, "I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand. I and the Father are one."

Genesis 31:22-30

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22 And Laban was told on the third day that Jacob had fled. 23 Then he took his brethren with him and pursued him for seven days’ journey, and he overtook him in the mountains of Gilead. 24 But God had come to Laban the Syrian in a dream by night, and said to him, “Be careful that you speak to Jacob neither good nor bad.” 25 So Laban overtook Jacob. Now Jacob had pitched his tent in the mountains, and Laban with his brethren pitched in the mountains of Gilead. 26 And Laban said to Jacob: “What have you done, that you have stolen away unknown to me, and carried away my daughters like captives taken with the sword? 27 Why did you flee away secretly, and steal away from me, and not tell me; for I might have sent you away with joy and songs, with timbrel and harp? 28 And you did not allow me to kiss my sons and my daughters. Now you have done foolishly in so doing. 29 It is in my power to do you harm, but the God of your father spoke to me last night, saying, ‘Be careful that you speak to Jacob neither good nor bad.’ 30 And now you have surely gone because you greatly long for your father’s house, but why did you steal my gods?” ~ Genesis 31:22-30

Today, we return to our study of Genesis 31 where Jacob and his family have finally departed for the Promised Land which is a term designated for the region of the world that God promised as a heritage to His people, Israel. The Promised Land was an endowment from God initially made to Abraham, the father of the Jews, who had been chosen also to be the father of all who would believe in the God of the Bible. God promised to bless Abraham and lead him into the land from the Nile River in Egypt to the Euphrates River that would belong to his offspring as an everlasting heritage. The physical blessings have always been for the advancement of the spiritual blessings. What profit is there if we gain the whole world and yet forfeit our soul?

In v.22-23 of today's passage we read, "22 And Laban was told on the third day that Jacob had fled. 23 Then he took his brethren with him and pursued him for seven days’ journey, and he overtook him in the mountains of Gilead."

Previously, Laban’s flocks were kept three days journey apart from Jacob’s so that they would not get intermingled with Jacob's flock. Because of this, it took three days for Laban to hear the news that Jacob had departed. And since Laban took his brethren with him, it was six days after Jacob left because it would have taken three days for the brethren to get to Laban. This is why it took Laban and his brethren seven days to catch up to Jacob.

With a smaller group, Laban moved much more quickly than Jacob. Still, it took a full week before Laban caught up within sight of Jacob's caravan. It was on Mount Gilead that Laban finally caught up to Jacob and his family. This is the first mention of Gilead in the Bible. The name "Gilead" comes from the contraction of two words, one means "spring," and the other "perpetual." It was at the perpetual spring that Laban met up with Jacob. I can hear the Lord Jesus' words to the woman at the well, "Whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life."

A careful reading of the Bible reveals there are three scriptures that reference the balm of Gilead. But unless the verses are considered together, it is easy to miss their significance. The first is found in Genesis 37:25-26 which reads, "As they sat down to eat their meal, they looked up and saw a caravan of Ishmaelite traders coming from Gilead. Their camels were loaded with spices, balm, and myrrh, and they were on their way to take them down to Egypt." These verses record the story of Joseph who was sold into slavery by his jealous brothers. The traveling merchants purchased Joseph, then delivered him to Egypt. Although it might seem as though the mention of spices, balm, and myrrh are superfluous details, they are recorded intentionally. 

The other two references to balm are found in the book of Jeremiah. They concern the prophet’s lament over God’s impending judgment of Israel in Jeremiah 8 & 46. Based on those passages, we discover that the balm produced in the region of Gilead was both valuable and rare. And, although the balm brought physical healing, it really represents spiritual health. Even though God had delivered Israel from slavery and they had walked through the Red Sea, the people still looked elsewhere for spiritual fulfillment. They even worshipped other gods. Eventually, we discover in the New Testament, all of this points us to the only One who provides real and lasting fulfillment, the Lord Jesus Christ.

In v.24-25 of today's passage we read, "24 But God had come to Laban the Syrian in a dream by night, and said to him, 'Be careful that you speak to Jacob neither good nor bad.' 25 So Laban overtook Jacob. Now Jacob had pitched his tent in the mountains, and Laban with his brethren pitched in the mountains of Gilead."

Similar to the way Laban ran down Jacob, God ran down Laban in a dream. Through this dream God told Laban not to harm Jacob. The wording in v.24 is quite awkward, the meaning is that Laban was not to threaten Jacob. God was not only with Jacob but He also was protecting him. Who knows what Laban would have done to Jacob in those mountains had God not run down Laban. Revealing is the fact that according to Joshua 20:8 Ramoth Gilead which means "Highest Gilead" would later be a city of refuge for those who would have accidentally harmed another. All of the cities of refuge whispered of the Lord Jesus long before He came to be born of the young teen-aged girl in Bethlehem.

In v.26-30 of today's passage we read, "26 And Laban said to Jacob: 'What have you done, that you have stolen away unknown to me, and carried away my daughters like captives taken with the sword? 27 Why did you flee away secretly, and steal away from me, and not tell me; for I might have sent you away with joy and songs, with timbrel and harp? 28 And you did not allow me to kiss my sons and my daughters. Now you have done foolishly in so doing. 29 It is in my power to do you harm, but the God of your father spoke to me last night, saying, 'Be careful that you speak to Jacob neither good nor bad.' 30 And now you have surely gone because you greatly long for your father’s house, but why did you steal my gods?"

Laban’s comments to Jacob came from a man who seemed to have come to rescue his stolen daughters. In an attempt to get the upper hand in their negotiations, Laban talked about the things he would have done had he known they had left Haran. Jacob and his wives knew better; Laban was a scam and probably hadn’t kissed his daughters since the night of their wedding, if he even did it then. 

The way Laban spoke to Jacob was different because God had told him in the dream to not harm Jacob or else. Laban told Jacob that he was his own source of power and he could have harmed him. But Laban found out that there is a much greater Power. Amazingly, even though God revealed Himself to Laban like He did, Laban was still preoccupied with his idol gods. For some, it doesn't matter how much revelation of Himself that God gives, they are just not going to believe in Him and bow themselves before Him. Aren't you grateful that we came to that place where we entered into a personal relationship with this God who is so good? Having done so, we are now in the family of God.

Genesis 31:19-21

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19 Now Laban had gone to shear his sheep, and Rachel had stolen the household idols that were her father’s. 20 And Jacob stole away, unknown to Laban the Syrian, in that he did not tell him that he intended to flee. 21 So he fled with all that he had. He arose and crossed the river, and headed toward the mountains of Gilead. ~ Genesis 31:19-21

Today, we continue our study of Genesis 31 where we find Jacob preparing his family and his flocks for their long journey to the promised land. As indicated in our passage, Rachel and Leah went back home to gather whatever things they planned on taking with them on this journey. While their father, Laban, was shearing his sheep, we are directed to the theme of today's study which is idolatry. 

In v.19 of today's passage we read, "Now Laban had gone to shear his sheep, and Rachel had stolen the household idols that were her father’s."

While Jacob's wives were gathering their things and their father Laban was shearing his sheep, Rachel stole the household idols that belonged to her father. That which is described as "idols" here is referred to later in this chapter by Laban as "gods." To Laban they were good luck charms. Also, later in this chapter, Rachel will show her contempt for the "idols." Her actions will clearly show that she certainly wasn’t expecting to benefit from them. What Rachel will do to these "idols" is known as iconoclasm which is what people do when they turn away from idolatry by destroying their idols. In reference to idolatry, Charles Spurgeon once said, "Nothing teaches us about the preciousness of the Creator as much as when we learn the emptiness of everything else."

Idolatry is more than thinking our idols bring us good luck though. Idolatry is when we love something or someone more than God. It’s the misdirection of our worship. It’s our hearts clinging and confiding in that which does not or cannot bring us what we long for. It is the elevation and glorification of anything other than God, which eventually leads to personal emptiness and separation from true life. An idol could be a girlfriend, good grades, the approval of other people, success in business, and it could be a hobby. In Romans 1, the Apostle Paul put it like this: Idolatry is when we exchange the truth about God for a lie and worship and serve the created.  

King David wrote in Psalm 115 idols are useless. They have mouths but they can't speak. They have eyes but they can't see. They have ears but they can't hear. They have hands but they can't touch. They have feet but they can't walk. They have mouths but they can't speak.

In v.20 of today's passage we read, "And Jacob stole away, unknown to Laban the Syrian, in that he did not tell him that he intended to flee."

Jacob left Laban in the very same way that he had left Canaan before coming to Haran. He departed during the middle of the night. Here in this verse Moses used a form of the same word which was used to describe Rachel when she stole Laban’s idols. Literally the first four words of this verse reads, "And stole Jacob Laban’s heart." 

The "heart" in the Bible is the center of everything. Mentioned hundreds of times, our heart is presented as our "control center" from which all of our decisions are made. The heart is the place where our deepest being is found. Our heart is the place where we make all of our decisions. Our heart is that place where we make connection with God who brings life and light into our souls. The heart that opens itself to other, impure influences becomes blind and confused when it comes to discerning between good and evil. 

What we give our heart to is what we worship to a certain degree. And, if we are not in the habit of giving our hearts to the Lord, we will be controlled by that which is out to destroy us, including ourselves. Jacob took that which Laban's heart was set upon which was himself. Laban loved himself more than anything, and as is most of the time the case, our idols are clearly a reflection of us.

The problem is that we miss the whole point of our existence, the very purpose for which we were created. God made us for the relationship of His perfect love. He doesn't have the need, we do. But if we’re always chasing after other things, we’ll never experience the fullness of His love. And the fullness of His love is His holiness. There’s a big difference between a half-hearted approach to God and whole-hearted devotion. That half-hearted approach is where Jacob had been all of his life, but he is about to be shaken to his core. After the shaking will come a greater degree of love for God in Jacob.

In v.21 of today's passage we read, "So he fled with all that he had. He arose and crossed the river, and headed toward the mountains of Gilead."

Beginning in this verse we see Jacob leading his family, his servants, and his livestock back to the Promised Land in response to God’s command earlier in this chapter. Jacob had obviously entered into a personal relationship with God. God was now clearly defining Jacob to some degree. God’s command to Jacob, and his obedience was no small thing because Jacob still believed his brother intended to kill him. Jacob was literally risking his life to obey God. 

The river referenced here is the Euphrates and some argue over how he could have gotten his family, camels, flocks, and goods over that river at that time. But getting over the Euphrates river wasn’t a difficult task. There have been rope-pulled ferries for eons and there are rope made bridges spanning rivers around the world. There would have been routes of travel that included these or other ways of crossing and the speculation isn’t difficult to think through.

It is rather instructive that Jacob and his family went in the direction of Gilead which is mentioned 132 times in the Bible. In his book Jeremiah mentioned the balm of Gilead which comes from several herbs that are part of the mint family of plants. This balm is related to the tree the balsam poplar and it is considered a myrrh-like resin/chemical compound found in the Arabian Peninsula, specifically in ancient Israel east of the Jordan River. It was used for medicine. Jacob was being directed by God to go to the place which represents healing.

The balm of Gilead is also metaphoric. It, like almost everything in the Bible points us to our Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. He is the only One who can truly satisfy us on this earth and into eternity. Everything else only promises but never truly delivers. He is the One who came to save us from our disastrous state. JC Philpot once said, "There is more in the balm to heal than there is in guilt to wound; for there is more in grace to save than there is in sin to destroy." The author of such grace is the Lord Jesus Christ.

Genesis 31:14-18

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14 Then Rachel and Leah answered and said to him, "Is there still any portion or inheritance for us in our father’s house? 15 Are we not considered strangers by him? For he has sold us, and also completely consumed our money. 16 For all these riches which God has taken from our father are really ours and our children’s; now then, whatever God has said to you, do it." 17 Then Jacob rose and set his sons and his wives on camels. 18 And he carried away all his livestock and all his possessions which he had gained, his acquired livestock which he had gained in Padan Aram, to go to his father Isaac in the land of Canaan. ~ Genesis 31:14-18

Today, we return to our study of Genesis 31 where after 20 years of serving Laban and being conned by him for that long, Jacob is leaving town for the promised land. The people of Israel are a people united to each other and to God in a singularly unique way. But Israel is more than a people, Israel is a concept of uniting and restoring God to the people of the world. For 20 years Jacob had been in a form of exile and will now he will follow the leading of God and return home. 

In v.14-16 of today's passage we read, "14 Then Rachel and Leah answered and said to him, 'Is there still any portion or inheritance for us in our father’s house? 15 Are we not considered strangers by him? For he has sold us, and also completely consumed our money. 16 For all these riches which God has taken from our father are really ours and our children’s; now then, whatever God has said to you, do it.'"

When Rachel and Leah got married, their dad, Laban, gave each of them one maidservant. He could have given them more and they knew it but he didn't. They felt that they had gotten a raw deal from their dad. They knew that whatever inheritance they otherwise could have gotten would never come. They knew that they were entirely excluded from the inheritance. They didn't need Jacob to convince them that their father was a selfish man, they knew that all of their lives. 

When Jacob showed up, Rachel and Leah were given a great contrast to their dad. These two girls believed in Jacob so much, they quickly were ready to follow him. When God created this world, He put into place a spiritual law called the law of sowing and reaping which applies to every aspect of our lives. A farmer sows cotton seed in the ground and eventually reaps a harvest of cotton. When we sow our time and energy into reading Scripture, we will reap the fruit of faith, wisdom, and understanding.

The father of Rachel and Leah was a man who fed the flesh regularly. When we feed a stray cat, we know it’s going to come back. The truth is whatever we feed follows us. The same principle applies to feeding fleshly desires. The Bible says that feeding the flesh leads to death and destruction. The fruit of feeding our desires becomes rotten and is out to destroy us. However, when we feed the Spirit, He leads to life, peace, and joy. 

As Laban's daughters looked back over the past 20 years they realized that their father actually sold each one of them for Jacob’s labors. They were his hired hands, just like Jacob. As Jacob’s wives, they were in the same position that he was. Just as Jacob was a stranger, they are reckoned in the same way. And Laban didn’t only sell them, he consumed all the profit he made off of them. This is where feeding the flesh gets us with those whom we "love."

Jacob had acquired all of his livestock and wealth from Laban’s flocks. These were his wages and what came about was agreed on in advance, even though Laban changed the terms time and time again. Laban was a manipulative man but the Lord made sure that everything always came out in the favor of Jacob. God was with Jacob and He surely had blessed him.

In v.17-18 of today's passage we read, "17 Then Jacob rose and set his sons and his wives on camels. 18 And he carried away all his livestock and all his possessions which he had gained, his acquired livestock which he had gained in Padan Aram, to go to his father Isaac in the land of Canaan."

Once the decision was made, the action is taken. It didn’t matter how large Jacob's camp was, they completely emptied it in just a few hours. There was nothing left but holes in the ground where the tent posts had been. At this time, the oldest son, Reuben, was no more than about 12 years old and the youngest, Joseph, was about 6. So all the family mounted camels and started their journey towards Canaan.

It is very clear that Jacob hadn’t swindled Laban to gain his wealth. He had "gained" or "acquired" his family and possessions legitimately. The word "gained" in v.18 which is used five times in the whole Bible is used twice in this verse to indicate that Jacob took only what he had gained. Everything that went with him was acquired by him and nothing stolen. Later, we will see later that Jacob left with enough to give away more than 580 animals as a present. That, along with everything else he had would have made him a very wealthy man.

As we look back on Jacob's twenty years in Haran, we see that he had learned the importance of obeying the Lord. This is why he separated himself from Laban, who was a picture of the world without the Lord. This story demonstrates the foolishness of idolatry and the need for believers to separate ourselves from the world. Oh, we must maintain relationships with the people of the world but we must not be defined by the world. The Lord said it plainly, "Be in the world but not of it." 

Jacob's story while in Haran demonstrates also the protective hand of God in his life. In the same way that God protected Jacob in his departure from Haran to return to Canaan, so He had protected others, like the nation Israel in its departure from Egypt to return to Canaan. All of them were prone to idolatry but the Lord was committed to them. He is no different toward you and me and we are no different than those in the Bible. We will never earn His favor, we don't even maintain His favor. But, if we do not obey Him, we can surely miss out on His blessings.

Genesis 31:10-13

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10 And it happened, at the time when the flocks conceived, that I lifted my eyes and saw in a dream, and behold, the rams which leaped upon the flocks were streaked, speckled, and gray-spotted. 11 Then the Angel of God spoke to me in a dream, saying, "Jacob." And I said, "Here I am." 12 And He said, "Lift your eyes now and see, all the rams which leap on the flocks are streaked, speckled, and gray-spotted; for I have seen all that Laban is doing to you. 13 I am the God of Bethel, where you anointed the pillar and where you made a vow to Me. Now arise, get out of this land, and return to the land of your family." ~ Genesis 31:10-13

Today, we return to our study of Genesis 31 where Jacob is given revelation from God through two different dreams. Unlike all of the gods out there in this world that people worship, the God of the Bible is personal. The personal name of God, as we have seen in the Genesis narrative, is YHWH. The revelation that God grants to us is always couched in a personal encounter that He grants to us. The ultimate desire of God for us is that we know Him in an ever increasing way. 

The Apostle Paul tells us that our faith in God grows as we hear and recognize His voice. The Lord Jesus informed us that His sheep hear His voice and they follow. That is hearing God not with our ears but with our hearts. Of course, when we hear or read the Word of God, the Bible, it will always parallel what God tells us through His spoken Word. God will never tell us to do something that is not consistent with His Word, the Bible. 

In v.10 of today's passage we read, "And it happened, at the time when the flocks conceived, that I lifted my eyes and saw in a dream, and behold, the rams which leaped upon the flocks were streaked, speckled, and gray-spotted."

Jacob's first dream took place at the beginning of his last six years of labor unto Laban. God spoke to Jacob here through two dreams. In the book of Joel God tells us that in the last days "Your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions." And, in Job 33 Job said, "14 For God may speak in one way, or in another, yet man does not perceive it. 15 In a dream, in a vision of the night, when deep sleep falls upon men, while slumbering on their beds." 

God desires the best for all of us. When man does not access God's truth and therefore walks in that which isn't true, he finds himself outside of His love. When we are beyond the grasp of God's love, we will be the recipients of His wrath. Of course, the only thing that moves us into God's love is the performance of the Lord Jesus on our behalf on the cross and our faith in Him as our Savior. When the child of God does not walk in the truth, he will not be the recipient of God's wrath, but he could be the recipient of Satan's wrath.

In v.11 of today's passage we read, "Then the Angel of God spoke to me in a dream, saying, 'Jacob.' And I said, 'Here I am.'"

Although revelation given by God is awesome and mind-blowing, growing in intimacy with Him is even greater. Through Jacob’s second dream the Angel of God spoke to him and he responded. This was not only revelation, this was also relationship. The "Angel of God" here was the Lord who spoke to Jacob at Bethel. This was further confirmation from God to Jacob that the first dream was actually from God Himself.

Since revelation is God’s self-disclosure to us, He reveals Himself to us so we may grow to know Him, to love Him, and to serve Him. When we respond in the affirmative to the revelation that God gives us, we should expect more revelation to come from Him. This is how any relationship rolls out and this is why Christianity is not a religion. While religion is man trying to earn God's favor, Christianity is a personal relationship with God that was granted through the cross of the Lord Jesus Christ.

In v.12-13 of today's passage we read, "12 And He said, 'Lift your eyes now and see, all the rams which leap on the flocks are streaked, speckled, and gray-spotted; for I have seen all that Laban is doing to you. 13 I am the God of Bethel, where you anointed the pillar and where you made a vow to Me. Now arise, get out of this land, and return to the land of your family.'"

In this dream that God gave to Jacob, he used a different word to describe Jacob's sheep. "Gray-spotted" speaks for itself. God introduced a new color to reveal that He was the One producing the changes in the sheep all along. God is the arbiter of the truth, what He says is what makes anything true. When we know the definition of anything from God, we then know the truth. It is then that we can walk in the truth and the truth is God's definition of anything. When we respond to the truth, it shows up as obedience from us or that we are walking in that which is right and true.

Like his grandfather, Abraham, it was only when he had responded to the previous revelation that God gave Jacob more revelation. Abraham’s departure from Haran was key to the release of the promises that God had in store for him beyond God's initial revelation to him. With Jacob, God was no different. Like Abraham, Jacob's obedience opened the door for God to deliver to Him further revelation of and from Him.

And sure enough, just as Jacob’s dream showed the mating rams’ colors, the Lord confirmed his dream. The Lord knew that Laban had cheated Jacob and would continue to cheat him, and so He directed the flocks according to His wisdom as the Creator. Everything that happened had been at the Lord’s direction. The dreams were meant to be an encouragement to Jacob so that he would commit himself to what God would have him do next.

These reassuring words echoed for Jacob back some 20 years when he first left Canaan. He traveled through Bethel and had a vision where the Lord told him, "Behold, I am with you and will keep you wherever you go, and will bring you back to this land; for I will not leave you until I have done what I have spoken to you." And true to His promise, God had been with Jacob, kept him, and was now directing him back to the land of his birth. 

The believer in Christ can expect the same from God. Once entering into a personal relationship with God by inviting Him into our lives, we will then begin to pray to Him and read His word regularly. To the believer in Christ the Holy Spirit has been given. He is the One who lives in the hearts of believers and never leaves. He counsels, teaches, and changes the heart of each believer. Without the Holy Spirit, we would not have the ability to have this personal relationship with God. If you have not entered into a personal relationship with Him, let me encourage you to talk to Him right now. Begin by admitting to Him that you know that you are a sinner and that your sin has separated you from Him. Believe that the Lord Jesus paid the penalty for your sin. And, invite Him into your life.

Genesis 31:4-9

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4 So Jacob sent and called Rachel and Leah to the field, to his flock, 5 and said to them, "I see your father’s countenance, that it is not favorable toward me as before; but the God of my father has been with me. 6 And you know that with all my might I have served your father. 7 Yet your father has deceived me and changed my wages ten times, but God did not allow him to hurt me. 8 If he said thus: 'The speckled shall be your wages,' then all the flocks bore speckled. And if he said thus: 'The streaked shall be your wages,' then all the flocks bore streaked. 9 So God has taken away the livestock of your father and given them to me." ~ Genesis 31:4-9

Today, we return to our study of Genesis 31 where Jacob and his family are preparing to travel to the promised land. They were about to do so because they had chosen to be defined by the God of the Bible and He had told Jacob to travel there. It was in this context that Jacob was dealing with tensions in his broader family. His father-in-law and his sons accused Jacob falsely of stealing from his herd. We view others through the lens of the way we see life. Like Laban, Jacob's father-in-law, if we are deceptive we will think of others as deceptive. This is the on-going context of today's passage.

In v.4-7 of today's passage we read, "4 So Jacob sent and called Rachel and Leah to the field, to his flock, 5 and said to them, 'I see your father’s countenance, that it is not favorable toward me as before; but the God of my father has been with me. 6 And you know that with all my might I have served your father. 7 Yet your father has deceived me and changed my wages ten times, but God did not allow him to hurt me.'"

Jacob called for Rachel and Leah in that order. Even though she was Jacob's second wife, Rachel was the one beloved most by Jacob. Throughout this narrative Jacob favored Rachel more than Leah. Showing favoritism within our families is a dangerous thing because it is the unfair practice of treating one better than another. Jacob did this because his idea of love was less than it should have been. Jacob's idea was tainted with the self because it was conditioned by what he would get out of the relationship. Jacob's idea of love was less than due to the fact that his ability to evaluate was cheapened by his self life.

The words translated "favoritism" in the Bible literally means "to receive according to the face." To show favoritism is to make judgments about another on the basis of their outward appearance. Of course, given the circumstances and the fact that Laban tricked Jacob into marrying his first daughter Leah, one can understand the difficulty Jacob was in. Having said that, favoritism eventually bites us in the rear end. We tend to put everyone in some kind of category. Most often, it has to do with appearance and status. According to James 2:9 when we show favoritism, we commit sin. Favoritism is not simply disrespectful of people, it is sin against God. It is sin because it is contrary to the character and command of God. Because favoritism is sin, we are wise to hurl it out of our lives. 

Over and over Laban deceived Jacob to stay on his homestead for 20 years. Jacob worked so well that Laban received much good work from him. If Jacob had slacked off at any time during those 20 years, Laban never would have kept him around. But he did. When he did, Laban said that the Lord had blessed him because of Jacob’s work. And, the last six years were no different, except that the blessings went to Jacob and not to Laban. 

When we live our lives at the level of the world, we will eventually see that this was a very unwise decision. If we waist our time feeding the flesh rather than the Spirit, we will only be miserable at the end of the day. The most exciting way to live is to simply trust and to trust simply. Jacob trusted God and look at what happened, Jacob was blessed abundantly. For the person who truly by faith in the God of the Bible, life is an adventure to be received from the most incredibly creative God. At the end of this life, having trusted the Lord with the outcomes, we will look back with others and marvel. Perhaps with us will be those who came to faith in our God because we trusted Him.

The phrase "ten times" is an idiom indicating  fullness of time. In the case of Laban, whenever Jacob’s flock began to grow, Laban would change the rules of his wages. The gracious nature of Jacob's response to Laban's mistreatment revealed the fact that God was changing Jacob from the inside out. We call this sanctification which is different than justification. Justification is what gets us into heaven for we are only justified in the eyes of God through believing in the work of the Lord Jesus on the cross for the forgiveness of our sin. Sanctification is getting heaven in us now so that we might grow in the wisdom of God and that we might be able to be effective witnesses for God while we remain on this earth.

In v.8-9 of today's passage we read, "8 If he said thus: 'The speckled shall be your wages,' then all the flocks bore speckled. And if he said thus: 'The streaked shall be your wages,' then all the flocks bore streaked. 9 So God has taken away the livestock of your father and given them to me."

The original agreement between Laban and Jacob was that all of the abnormally colored flocks would be Jacob’s. However, it quickly became apparent that the majority of the new births were abnormally colored. So Laban changed it to only a portion of them. Then, the next season, only speckled would be born and so Laban would say, "Ok the speckled will be mine and the spotted will be yours." The next season, they would come out all spotted. There was more than just genetic engineering on Jacob’s part involved in this scenario. With the colors always coming out to Jacob’s advantage, it had to be by the providence of God. Laban was fighting a losing battle because he fought it in the flesh, his weapons of complaining and accusing were losing weapons. 

God knows every detail about or us and we can trust Him with every detail of our lives. There are nine planets in our solar system. Each faithfully orbits around the sun every day. The sun is a star in the Milky Way. The Milky Way has 200 billion more stars that are just like the sun. Planets and moons orbit around each of them. God has a name for every one of them. In addition to that, there are 100 trillion galaxies in the universe, each with 200 billion stars. Such vastness! If God can operate such vastness out there then He can navigate the details in our puny lives. Our responsibility is to place our hand in His everyday and resist the urge to pull it out.

Genesis 31:1-3

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1 Now Jacob heard the words of Laban’s sons, saying, "Jacob has taken away all that was our father's, and from what was our father's he has acquired all this wealth." 2 And Jacob saw the countenance of Laban, and indeed it was not favorable toward him as before. 3 Then the Lord said to Jacob, "Return to the land of your fathers and to your family, and I will be with you." ~ Genesis 31:1-3

Today, we transition into Genesis 31 where we see Jacob growing in his faith in the God of the Bible. Jacob left Canaan and he actually spent 20 years in Haran. Jacob served seven years for Leah, seven years for Rachel and then it took another six years to build up his flocks. 

Before Jacob left Canaan for Haran, the Lord promised to be with him wherever he went. As Jacob's story unfolds we are seeing that God is doing exactly what He promised. God has always kept this promise to the Patriarchs of Israel down through the years and He will on into eternity. God's prophetic word affirms the faith and trust of the believer and it is a witness to all who have yet to believer. When I look at the Cross of the Lord Jesus, I see God’s incredible faithfulness. Nothing, not even the instinct to spare His own Son, has caused Him to turn His back from all who believe.

In v.1 of today's passage we read, "Now Jacob heard the words of Laban’s sons, saying, 'Jacob has taken away all that was our father's, and from what was our father's he has acquired all this wealth.'"

Today's events happened in approximately 2265 BC. While the previous chapter began with jealousy from within the family directed toward Leah, this chapter begins with jealousy outside Jacob’s immediate family toward him. Interestingly, jealousy was actually used both times to bring about God’s purposes in the life of Jacob and his family. God's design the first time was to grow Jacob’s family while the second time it precipitated their departure from Haran.

The accusation of Laban’s sons was inaccurate because Laban still had his sheep. Jacob had more than what Laban had because Jacob worked at multiplying his flock. Laban's sons were jealous and envious of Jacob, falsely accusing him of stealing from Laban. We know Laban still had flocks because the original flock was divided 6 years earlier. Laban’s sons used the word "wealth" which means heavy. Jacob had become heavy with wealth due to God's blessing upon him. 

In v.2 of today's passage we read, "And Jacob saw the countenance of Laban, and indeed it was not favorable toward him as before."

Laban was jealous along with his sons. Six years earlier, it was he who had accepted the terms of the agreement which Jacob proposed. And he didn’t only accept them, he jumped at them. They were the delight of his heart when he heard them. They were an offer too good to be true, but now that Jacob had more flocks, Laban and his sons were jealous. Jacob was industrious, crafty, and blessed by God in his work and it had paid off for him. The jealousy of Laban and his sons resulted in increasing Jacob's ability to hear God's voice better.

In v.3 of today's passage we read, "Then the Lord said to Jacob, 'Return to the land of your fathers and to your family, and I will be with you.'"

Yesterday, I quoted Psalm 37 which reminds us that if we delight ourselves in the Lord, He will give us the desires of our heart. That means when we delight ourselves in the Lord, the desires that we have will have been desires that God had put within our heart as we were delighting in Him. God should receive all the credit for any good that comes out of us. A sign that we are growing in grace is that we are quick to bring Him glory.

The desire within Jacob to go back to Canaan was born out of this tension in the family. Due to Laban's son's jealousy which was followed by accusations, the nest was getting stirred up for Jacob and his family to fly away. God used this trial to convince Jacob that he really needed to leave. What Jacob felt in his heart was now being confirmed by the circumstances around him. 

When life takes a turn for the worst, we are always tempted to feed the flesh and complain. This is not to be found on the road to God's blessing. We often question God by asking Him why He would He allow these things to happen to us. In these moments we forget that all things are useful to God to bring about His will for us. There are times that the Lord stirs things up by circumstances and most of the time fear creeps in but we must remember that the Lord will always be true to His word and we can trust Him with the outcome.

The key when we find ourselves at this point is to turn to God and expect Him to direct us through His word. The first four words in v.3 are: "Then the Lord said." The Word of God will always confirm to us the call of God on our lives. That which Jacob felt in his heart went along with the circumstances that were going on around him. This is when God told Jacob to return to the land of his fathers. So when life turns sour, God may have some sweet blessings right around the corner. Don't complain. Don't moan. Consider that these unwanted circumstances will render opportunities to realize the will of God for you.